WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Temperatures are fairly good for maple sugaring this year; Highs in the 40s and lows below freezing create good conditions for sap flow. However, my notes tell me that I’m definitely getting less than prior years. The only thing I can come up with–andContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Had to get something done on my truck over in Kingston, leaving me some time to go for a walk in the city. I look forward to those walks, since there are normally unique or abnormal trees that I don’t get a chance toContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Just got done pruning our apple tree last week. As you might recall, this tree was an ornamental apple that was beheaded & grafted onto back in 2014. Saw some flowers 2 years ago that didn’t fruit due to frost. Last year, we didContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? After more than 6 years of pruning mature apple trees, the winner–for me–for the best hand-saw goes to Silky. These blades are tough, razor sharp and ergonomic. I wish I was being paid to say this, but am not. So, if you want anContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Last week I posted how the 2020 maple sugaring season had begun in central Ulster County (for me). Well, the first few days were giving that old “sap snow.” Sap snow is when it’s snowing, temperatures are in the mid-30s or so and theContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Well, I tapped my trees on Monday, January 6th. Later that night, they ran over 1 gallon per tap at about 2.6% sugar content or 32 gallons of sap to 1 gallon of syrup. I realize it’s awfully early, but the forecast later inContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Looks like Santa delivered on a special request for a bat box. After reading a little bit about bats, I figured they might be good for my orchard. Apparently one little brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour; They alsoContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Well another Christmas is upon us and that brought the girls & “Tan the Man” out to get another Christmas tree at Bell’s Christmas Tree Farm in Accord, Ulster County off Mettacahonts Road. The Bells are great people, hardworking, and offer everyone hot chocolateContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Been away for the weekend at my in-laws in Rockport, MA near Gloucester. Rockport & Gloucester sit on an island called Cape Anne or the North Shore. Every time I’m there I occupy most of my time walking about 4 miles from Rockport toContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I was over near Peekamoose Mountain driving around & had to snap this photo. It’s hard to tell, but the hemlock are getting their butts kicked over there as well as many portions of Ulster and Sullivan Counties. Many of these hemlocks are losingContinue Reading